Request a Fire and Rescue Services file research letter

Fire file research letters (formerly referred to as fire comfort letter/order search) provide information on any:

Outstanding permits
Fire orders
Notices of violations against a property (This includes broken exit lights, no smoke alarms in a building, combustible materials on the premise, etc.)

Steps to requesting a fire file research letter

Requests must be made by an individual or law firm.

Step 1: Submit request
A. Write request

A file research letter request must be made in writing by an individual or law firm. The request must include your:
- Property address
- Contact information
Letters take approximately 7 to 10 business days to process. You will be notified when it is ready.

B. Send request

By email

Email your request to: frcsl@vancouver.ca

If requesting by email, payment must be made online and by credit card. Review step 2

By mail

Mail your request to:

Fire Prevention
600 – 575 W 8th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C4

If requesting a letter by mail, you must include payment by cheque with your request. Review step 2
Step 2: Review and pay fee

A. Review fee

To receive a file research letter, you will be required to pay a fee.

Review the fee: refer to item 13 of the by-law (279 KB)

An apartment building is considered one address.

A commercial building (for example, three businesses and a residence on top) would be treated as four buildings.

B. Pay fee

Online - by credit card

You will be required to setup an online account. Once you have created the account, you can pay the fee by credit card.

Setup account and pay fee

By mail - by cheque

Make cheque payable to City of Vancouver.

Mail your cheque to:

Fire Prevention
600 – 575 W 8th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C4

You must include your written request with payment.